OSO LAKE SCOUT CAMP FALL 2017 LEADER’S GUIDE
WELCOME TO OSO LAKE ! Dear Scout Leaders, Welcome to Oso Lake Scout Camp, Orange County Council’s premier event camp! We are hosting many exciting events during the Fall Season this year, from Order of the Arrow Ordeals to Tiger Cub Safaris to the best open camping your Unit can experience. In this guide, you will find information not only about our exciting programs, but all the essentials your unit needs before making your way to the Lake! We hope you enjoy your stay at Oso Lake and the adventures you and your Scouts experience here will be ones to remember for a lifetime.
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
PREMIER EVENTS @ OSO Oso Lake is host to some of the hottest events in the Orange County Council full of excitement, adventure, and just plain ol’ Scouting fun! Below is our schedule of events slated for September through December.
Order of the Arrow Ordeal September 29th-October 1st Those Scouts and Scouters elected to be Arrowmen in the Wiatava Lodge will go through their Ordeal this weekend. They will discover the mysteries of the Lodge and the Order of the Arrow and join the brotherhood of cheerful service. This event is restricted to invited candidates and members of the Lodge only.
Halloween Family Camp October 13th-15th This October, we’ll be scaring up some spooky Scouting fun at our Halloween Family Camp weekend! We’ll have trick or treating, bobbing for apples, and all sorts of haunts and treats at this event. We invite everyone to come in their best costume and get in on the party! Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $35 per youth, $10 per adult Early bird pricing: $45 per youth, $20 per adult Regular pricing: $60 per youth, $35 per adult
www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
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PREMIER EVENTS @ OSO
Tiger Safari November 4th Welcome to the jungles of Oso Lake! This special event is for our Tiger Cubs who are on their Scouting journey and at this event, they’ll be able to earn their stripes with all sorts of Cub Scout adventures. This is a day event only, no overnight camping. Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $35 per youth, $10 per adult Early bird pricing: $45 per youth, $20 per adult Regular pricing: $60 per youth, $35 per adult
Cub Country November 17th-19th During this day event, the Wiatava Lodge will be rolling out the welcome wagon for Orange County Council’s new Cub Scouts! For those Cubs just putting on the blue uniform, we invite you out to Oso Lake for this special event to get a taste of all that Cub Scouting has to offer. You’ve joined the Pack, now begin the adventure! This is a free event!
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
PREMIER EVENTS @ OSO
Partner and Pal Overnight December 1st-3rd This overnight event is for our Wolf and Bear Cub Scouts. We invite you to bring your pals from the Den and Pack for a weekend of fun and adventure! You’ll be camping out under the stars and experiencing the adventure of Cub Scouts. Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $35 per youth, $10 per adult Early bird pricing: $45 per youth, $20 per adult Regular pricing: $60 per youth, $35 per adult
www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
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OPEN CAMPING
Is your Crew, Troop, Pack, or Den looking for somewhere new for a weekend campout? There is no better place in Orange County than right here at Oso Lake! Below is our list of weekends for open camping. Pack up your Patrol Boxes and hit the Lake! September 8th-10th September 15th-17th October 20th-22nd November 10th-12th December 8th-10th December 15th-17th We offer for the Units an archery range, BB gun range, canoes and rowboats, and the best fishing in the Council! Please see our sections on boating, fishing, and ranges in this guide for pricing on these rentals. Cost of open camping is $12 per person. And our open camping weekends aren’t just for Scouts either! Other youth groups are welcome to book a weekend getaway at Oso Lake.
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Here at Oso Lake we want to provide a safe, healthy, and happy camping experience for all the Scouts and Scouters who enter our gates and for that to happen, we ask that you abide by the following policies.
Biting Bugs and Plants
Oso Lake is part of the beautiful natural landscape of Southern California and we do have mosquitoes and ticks on property. It is recommended that you repel these insects with bug spray consisting of at least 20% DEET. Poison oak is very commonly encountered when you leave established trails, as is poison hemlock. Various mushrooms, stinging nettle, and prickly thistles are also found around camp from time to time, so it is recommended that all campers stay on established trails to avoid these noxious and potentially painful plants. NEVER EAT ANY PLANT FOUND AT OSO LAKE. If you are allergic to these insects and plants, please bring your medication to camp.
Pets
With the exception of trained assistance animals, no pets of any kind are allowed at Oso Lake. Please leave your dog, horse, aardvark, cat, tortoise, hedgehog, rat, snake, pocket fish, or other family pet at home. You will be asked to leave if you bring them.
Alcohol/Tobacco Policy
Alcohol and intoxicating substances are never permitted in camp, period. It is a violation of BSA policy to consume alcohol or intoxicating substances in camp, and campers who are caught with alcohol or any such substance in their possession will be escorted from the property with no warnings or refunds provided. For safety and health reasons, we would prefer you not smoke in camp at all. If you must smoke, smoking is permitted in the designated smoking area ONLY. Please contact the Ranger to determine where the smoking area is. Please do not smoke in the presence of youth, and please LEAVE NO TRACE of your smoking in camp.
www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
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POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Campfires
Campfires are permitted in established fire rings only. All fires must be attended at all times and are NEVER to be left unattended. During extreme weather events (Red Flag Days) such as extreme drought, and very dry Santa Ana winds, campfires will not be allowed and you will be notified. Each group campsite is complete with a heavy-duty fire pit and removable cooking grate. The amphitheater also features a large in-ground fire ring for group fires. You may bring your own or purchase firewood at the Oso Lake Trading Post. Fires are to be put out cold prior to leaving your camp site unattended.
Trading Post
The Oso Lake Trading Post offers a selection of snack and shelf stable food staples in the event you forget something. Some personal care items are also available. Trading Post hours are variable, so check with the Ranger for the latest information.
Restrooms/Showers
Many well maintained and frequently emptied Porta Johns are available for camper use. The camp does have potable water for sponge baths and other cleaning needs in each camp site.
Trailers/Motor Homes
Motor homes up to 24 feet and small towable trailers no longer than 24 feet may be brought to Oso Lake. Space is extremely limited and no hook ups are available. Space is made available on a first come, first served basis. Please notify the camping coordinator when you register.
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
BOATING Rowboat/Canoe Rentals: Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $2 per person Early bird pricing: $4 per person Regular pricing: $6 per person
Oso Lake is the premier weekend getaway in Orange County for boating, for your full enjoyment of our beautiful docks, we have the following policies. Canoes/Rowboats are available to Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and other youth under the following circumstances: • NO SOLO CANOEING/ROWBOATING IS ALLOWED AT OSO LAKE • ADULTS (21+) may paddle canoes/rowboats with another adult, or with their own child or children. • BOY SCOUTS and youth age 12-17 who have 1) passed the BSA swim test and 2) who have earned the BSA Canoeing merit badge may use a canoe/rowboat with another equally qualified youth, or with their own adult (21+) parent. • CUB SCOUTS and youth aged 11 and under may only ride in a canoe/rowboat with their own adult (21+) parent. In all cases, vessel weight limits must be followed. All groups wishing to use canoes or rowboats must supply adequate numbers of “Water Watchers” who are trained through BSA Safety Afloat, and Safe Swim Defense. If the event you’re attending has a scheduled rotation, we follow the planned start and end times. On open camping weekends, we do not adhere to time limits. Canoes and rowboats are available if requested in advance, any time the Aquatics department is open and adequate staff and “Water Watchers” are available. Aquatics is typically open from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM and closes for lunch from Noon to 1:30 on Saturdays. Operating hours will be announced on the day of your stay, and they may vary. Check with the Ranger upon arrival for the Aquatics schedule. At the sole discretion of the Aquatics Director, privately owned human powered watercraft MAY be permitted. All privately owned human powered watercraft must be kept in the main automobile parking area, and must be inspected by Aquatics Director prior to being brought into Aquatics area. NO MOTORIZED or TRAILER vessels of any size or kind will be permitted. It is best to use the Contact Us page to make your inquiry BEFORE bringing your boat to Oso Lake. No fishing is allowed from canoes, but you may fish from the rowboats during open camping rental periods.
www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
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FISHING There is no better place to fish in the Orange County Council than right here at Oso Lake! We offer plenty of fishing fun for all of our participants and ask that they abide by the following policies. If you are a registered camper, you do not need a California Fishing License to enjoy our lake. Unauthorized campers fishing at Oso Lake may be escorted off property by the Orange County Sherriff’s Office for the safety of campers. Oso Lake is home to largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and seasonally stocked Tilapia. In order to maintain our fish population and to keep the fun for everyone, we follow a strict catch and release policy. Once you’ve caught your fish, please take your photo, and release the fish back to the lake. If you do not own any fishing gear, never fear! We have fishing rentals at Oso Lake where you can rent a rod and reel to catch the big one. When fishing at Oso Lake, we ask that you only use artificial lures, flies, and baits. No living or dead fish, insects, human foods or animal foods are allowed as fishing bait. Fishing Gear Rentals: Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $2 per person Early bird pricing: $4 per person Regular pricing: $6 per person
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
RANGES Oso Lake has more than great fishing, we also have the premier archery, BB gun, slingshot, and tomahawk ranges in the Council! All ranges are open to registered campers with advance reservations, and on special event days where ranges are mentioned in the program schedule. All youth who wish to participate in BB Gun shooting must have the completed Activity Release Form, signed by their parent or guardian, with them on the range.* Due to BSA policies, the tomahawk range is not available for Cub Scouts. Very young children may not be able to operate the equipment safely. Our certified range masters will make every effort to provide kids of all ages a great range experience. We can serve very small sized youth, left and right-handed youth, and youth with no experience at all, as well as experienced people of all ages, so there is a good chance that we can offer something for everyone. All equipment and ammunition are provided, you may not bring your own archery equipment or BB rifle to camp without express permission of the Shooting Sports Director. Any shooting sports equipment coming onto camp must be checked in upon entry into camp and will be kept safely locked up in a secure facility until the ranges are open for shooting sports. Unauthorized visitors attempting to use the ranges are considered trespassers and will be ticketed by the Orange County Sherriff’s Office and escorted from the property for their own safety, and the safety of the kids in camp. Range Rentals: Register 30 days before the event to receive premium pricing, register 15 days before the event to receive early bird pricing, register 2 days before the event to receive regular pricing. Premium pricing: $5 per person Early bird pricing: $7 per person Regular pricing: $10 per person *The Activity Release Form for our shooting sports ranges is available on our website http://www.osolake.org
www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990
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CONTACT US AT OSO LAKE If your unit wishes to register for one of our Premier Events or reserve a spot for one of our Open Camping Weekends, please call us at (714) 546-8558 ext. 167 or call the Orange County Council Office at (714) 546-4990 to make your reservation today! It will be the weekend of a lifetime. We can also be reached by email at Nicola.Varela@scouting.org Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/osolakescoutcamp/
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www.osolake.org | www.ocbsa.org | 714-546-4990